"We are shooting for a beer that's very flowery and reminds of springtime," Gordash commented. "We use hibiscus, rose hips, and saw palmetto berries in the beer."

This pilot farmhouse saison boasts 23 IBUs (or International Bittering Units) and holds an 8% abv. The aroma is quite flowery, and has a mild herbal character to it. There is a distinct hit of honey sweetness that is encompassed by champagne-like effervescence and dryness. It ends slightly bitter like a dry champagne as well. This is a straight-up homage to a classic French farmhouse beer.

Doug Fairall

FBC brewer Bobby Gordash (left) with myself and some glasses of the upcoming farmhouse saison.

The Vega Lounge was accommodating to everyone who came out, supplying us with some proper wine glasses for the enjoyment of this saison. The accompanying bottle shop was a treat; I found a couple of beers that are normally sold out everywhere else readily available for purchase.